The Road Not Taken: Chapter Twenty
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Chapter Nineteen
The Road Not Taken: Chapter Twenty
After dinner, the three of them sat in the common room, ticking down the hours, playing backgammon. Most of the house left them alone - save for Fred and George, who bothered Harry and Neville for a few rounds of Exploding Snap. Hermione ignored them all in favor of skimming through her notes. The twins left, yawning, near eleven, along with Lee Jordan. Harry had stashed his invisibility cloak, along with Hagrid’s flute, in the corner near his chair.
“It’s time,” Harry said, reaching for the cloak. “Let’s put the cloak on here and make sure it covers all of us.” They shuffled under the cloak. It fit all three of them with ease.
They crept out the portrait hole and out into the dark corridors. They skirted a mischievous Peeves by the Charms classroom, and narrowly escaped a curious Mrs. Norris near one set of stairs. They were almost to the third floor when the hair on the back of Harry’s neck stood on end.
He stopped, causing the others to crash into him. Harry pulled his wand, his heart racing as two blurry shapes detached from the wall and stepped in front of them.
“Harry?” Draco’s voice was a whisper.
“Draco?”
One blurry form snapped into focus. Draco Malfoy stood in front of them, eyes a touch red, but his expression determined.
Harry slid out from under the cloak. The second blurry form vanished to reveal Nott. Hermione and Neville both peeked at them from under the cloak’s edge.
“How’d you do that?” Hermione demanded.
“Magic,” Nott drawled.
“Show me.”
“Later,” Harry shook his head, keeping his eyes on Draco. “You’re here,” he said.
“Of course we’re here,” Draco tossed his head. “Did you think we’d allow you to go alone and get all the glory for yourselves?”
“Hey, now,” Hermione began.
“Besides,” Draco frowned at them. “You’re Gryffindors. Like as not, you’d just barge in and hope for the best. If you’re going to survive and all that, you’ll need our help. You’re unable to finesse your way out of a box.”
Harry couldn’t help his small laugh. “All right,” he said before Hermione could snap. “All right. We don’t have much time, so come on,” he ducked back under the cloak while the Slytherins recast their spells - Harry had forgotten about the Disillusionment Charm. How could he be so dense?
There was no time to fret about it. A few second later, they were there, outside the third-floor corridor - and the door was already open.
“Someone’s been here,” Harry heard Nott’s whisper.
“Yeah,” Harry slipped from the cloak and pulled out Hagrid’s flute. “If you want to go back,” he told the others. “I won’t blame you. This is going to be dangerous.”
“Don’t be stupid,” said Nott.
“We’re coming with you,” said Neville.
Harry nudged the door further open. As it creaked, low, rumbling growls met their ears. All three of the dog’s noses sniffed madly in their direction. Harry ducked out of sight around the crack.
“There’s a harp at its feet. Someone has definitely been here,” he told them. “Fluffy wakes the moment the music stops, so,” he raised the flute.
“Don’t be daft, Harry,” Draco snapped. The Slytherin raised his wand and said a spell Harry didn’t recognize. A woman’s soft voice began to sing. Harry glanced in the room to see the beast’s eyes begin to droop. The dog’s growls eased as they slid in the door - it tottered on its paws and fell to its knees, then it slumped to the ground, fast asleep.
“Keep it going,” Harry warned Draco as Hermione and Neville slipped out of the cloak. They scuttled to the trap door. They could feel the dog’s hot, smelly breath as they approached the giant head. Harry got the trapdoor open and peered inside.
“I’ll go first,” he told them. “Keep it playing,” he told Draco again. The blond rolled his eyes, but nodded.
Harry dropped into the hole. Cold, damp air rushed past him as he fell. He landed with a funny, sort of muffled thump on something soft. Devil’s Snare, he remembered after a few, frantic blank moments. Come on, Harry. Get a grip.
“It’s okay!” He called up. “One at a time, wait for an all clear. There’s not much space.”
Harry struggled with the blasted plant as Neville, Hermione, Nott and then Draco dropped down with him.
“It’s Devil’s Snare!” Neville yanked at his feet.
“We must be miles under the school,” Hermione peered around.
“Get it off!” Draco’s struggles had ensnared him under the vines.
“We need a fire, or bright light!” Neville snapped. “Hurry!”
“Hold still,” Harry pulled out his wand.
Hermione was faster. She snapped out a spell Harry didn’t catch, but recognized as the bluebell flames burst to life. The plant released the boys, cringing away from the light and warmth.
“Thank goodness you’re good at Herbology,” Draco said to Neville, then looked away.
“Er, thanks,” Neville rubbed at the back of his neck.
“This way,” Harry said, pointing down a stone passageway. All they could hear apart from their own footsteps was the gentle drop of water trickling down the walls. The passageway sloped downward, deeper into the earth.
“Can you hear something?” Neville whispered.
Harry nodded. A soft rustling and clinking seemed to be coming from up ahead.
“Do you think it’s a ghost?” Neville asked.
“It’s wings,” Harry said. He caught Nott giving him another odd look, but dismissed it. They reached the end of the passageway and saw before them a brilliantly lit chamber, its ceiling arching high above them. It was full of small, jewel-bright birds, fluttering and tumbling all around the room. On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door.
“Do you think they’ll attack us if we cross the room?” Neville glanced up at the creatures.
“Yes,” Nott said, eyes narrowed on the creatures. “They don’t look very vicious, but if they all swooped down at once, it could be dangerous.” Then he cut a glance at Harry. “You were right, wings.”
Harry shrugged it off. “They’re not really birds,” he said. “They’re keys. We need the right one to open the door.” He turned to see them staring at him. “What?”
“You know this, how?” Nott demanded.
Harry blinked a few times and shrugged. “I, uh, just…do?”
Nott scowled at him.
“So what do we do?” Hermione asked.
“Broomsticks,” Draco breathed. He pointed.
“We have to catch the right one,” Harry nodded.
“But there must be hundreds up there!”
Nott stalked over to the door, taking them all by surprise. The boy had his shoulders hunched, as if waiting for the flying keys to start dive-bombing him at any second. When nothing happened, the Slytherin ran the rest of the way to the door and knelt down to examine the lock.
“Look for a big, old-fashioned one - probably silver, like the handle,” Nott called.
“Right,” Harry gave Hermione a nudge. “You and Neville go over with Nott. Draco, I’ll need your help.”
“Me?” Draco’s eyes went wide.
“Yeah,” Harry smiled. “Come on.” Draco scrambled after him. They each grabbed a broom and sped into the air.
“We’re looking for one with bright blue wings,” Harry told him. “The feathers will be all crumpled on one side. It’s big, too.”
“A lot of them are big. And how do you know it’s blue?”
Harry ignored the last question. “I need you to help me to break it off from the flock. See, there,” Harry reached out and tugged at Draco’s arm. “There, that one.”
“I see it.”
“I need you to swoop down and scatter them, but keep below the target key. It should shoot up. I’ll come from above.”
“But…”
“Please, Draco.”
The blond shut his mouth and nodded. “Say when.”
“On three. One, two…three.”
Draco dived. The keys were spooked, just as Harry had anticipated. Harry streaked after it, ignoring the sharp pain as one key scored his cheek. He pinned the blue-winged key against the wall, feeling the feathery brush of wings against his palm before it went quiet. Harry and Draco dropped to the ground. Harry ran for the door, jammed the key in the lock and twisted it open. The key took flight again, looking very battered now that it had been caught twice.
“Ready?” Harry asked the others, his hand on the door handle. They nodded. He pulled to the door open.
The next chamber was so dark they couldn’t see anything at all. As they stepped into it, light flooded the room to reveal an astonishing sight.
They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved form looked like black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.
“Now what do we do?” Neville whispered.
“We play our way across,” said Harry.
“But…”
“He’s right,” said Nott. “Look, there are five spots missing on the board. It’s a good thing we came along,” he muttered. “I bet you’re rubbish at chess.”
“Harry’s decent at chess,” Hermione snapped.
“But I’m better,” Draco tossed his head. “All right, this is what we need to do. Harry -”
“You’re just going to take over, just like that?” Hermione demanded.
“It’s all right, Hermione,” Harry patted her shoulder. “If Draco says he’s that good, we have to believe him. I only win half the time. We need better odds than that.”
“Thank you,” Draco bit out with a glare for Hermione. “Now, as I was saying…”
They took their places on the board. Draco took the knight’s position, sitting up on the rock-hewn horse for a better view of the game. It was unlike Ron’s game, Harry mused as they began. It was very slow and probing, Harry could see the concentration on Draco’s face as they picked their way across the board to the white king. Ron was always so sure of himself in chess. Of course, he rarely lost, so he had a right to be confident. Harry shook his head to clear away the memories. He needed to focus on the here and now.
“Oh, damn,” Harry heard Draco mutter. “Oh, buggering damn.”
“Draco!” Hermione gasped.
“Neville,” Draco twisted around to look at the other boy. “Neville, I - there’s no other way.” The Slytherin was chalky pale. The board was almost empty of pieces, the remains of both black and white chessmen huddled along the far wall.
“I…see it,” Neville gave a slow nod. He was on the other black knight’s horse.
“I - there might be…”
“No,” Neville took a deep breath. “Do it. We need to hurry and there’s no other way, right?”
Harry glanced at Draco, who had screwed his eyes shut. “Yes,” the other boy choked out.
“Then do it,” Neville said.
“But…” Hermione whispered.
“Move, Neville,” Draco opened his eyes.
Harry twisted around to watch Neville. The Gryffindor looked almost serene as he moved forward. The white queen pounced. She struck at Neville’s head, but the stone horse bucked up, taking the blow. Neville was thrown to the floor - Hermione screamed, but stayed on her square - as the white queen dragged Neville to one side.
“Right,” Draco’s voice was shaky. “Theo, move three spaces to the left.”
“But Neville!” Hermione cried.
“Do it, Theo!”
The Slytherin moved to checkmate. The white king took off his crown and threw it at Draco’s feet. The chessmen parted and bowed, leaving the door ahead clear.
Draco ran for Neville.
“We need to hurry,” Nott caught Harry’s arm before he could join them. Hermione moved between them.
“Harry, go,” Draco said, eyes bright. “I’ll take care of him. I promise.”
Harry closed his eyes for a second and drew in a sharp breath. Then he opened his eyes and ran for the door, Nott and Hermione hot on his heels.
“Sprout’s, Flitwick’s and McGonagall’s tests are down,” Harry told the others. “Quirrell’s is next, but the troll is already taken care of.”
“What - wait - how did -”
Harry ignored Hermione’s sputters as he pushed the far door open. A disgusting odor filled their nostrils. Harry put his sleeve over his mouth and skirted the prone form of the troll in the middle of the room, out cold from a bloody lump on the top of its head.
Harry pulled open the next door, Nott bolting in ahead of him, slamming the heavy wooden slab behind Hermione to keep the stench out.
“How do you know these things?” Nott demanded.
“It’s a thing,” Harry shrugged it off. “Oh, bloody hell. This one,” he stared at the table that held seven different bottles.
“What - this one? Harry…”
“Not now,” Harry shook his head. “Come on. I’m pants at logic puzzles. It’s good you two are here.”
Nott snapped his mouth shut and exchanged a long look with Hermione that Harry caught out of the corner of his eye. Harry turned away and strode forward. He couldn’t remember which vial he had drunk, all those years ago. It was one of the things he could never recall, even as an adult, before he’d gone back in time. The memory had never been clear to him - he’d been too focused on Ron’s injury and then what had happened next for it to really register.
They stepped over the threshold. A fire sprang up behind them in the doorway, a deep violet color. At the same instant, black flames shot up in the doorway leading outward. They were trapped.
“Look!” Nott seized a roll of paper, laying it next to the bottles. Hermione crowded in next to him as they poured over the riddle Harry knew lay on the sheet.
“Logic puzzles,” Hermione breathed.
“Exactly,” Nott nodded. “Let’s see…” The two bent together, whispering as they moved over the lines of the riddle, pointing to one bottle or another from time to time. It was so strange to see them like that, huddled over a problem, working together. Good, but strange.
“Got it!” Hermione exclaimed. “The smallest bottle will get you through the black flames. That one,” she pointed, “Gets us through the purple flames.”
“Go back and get the others,” Harry took up the tiny bottle. “There’s only enough for one, anyhow. Get Neville to Madam Pomfrey.”
“You’re going alone?”
Harry let out a huff. “I’ll always be alone for this part,” he shook his head.
“But that’s - that’s - You-Know-Who!”
“Yeah,” Harry held up the bottle. “I know.”
“He’ll kill you!” Nott cried.
“Not yet,” Harry met Nott’s eyes. “Hurry back, please. Get Neville to the Infirmary.”
“I’m going to get you help,” Nott growled, eyes bright.
“You’d better live,” Hermione added.
“Go on,” Harry pushed the big bottle at Hermione. The Gryffindor stared at Harry for a long moment and then drank, handing the vial to Nott before turning to dash through the flames. Nott gave Harry one last irritated glare before tossing back what was left, a strange blush on his cheeks, as he turned to follow Hermione through the flames.
Harry cradled the small vial in his hand for a moment, staring at the spot where his friends had disappeared. “We meet yet again,” he murmured and uncorked the vial, draining it with one gulp.
He turned. “Here I come,” he said, and stepped through the black flames.
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Nineteen
The Road Not Taken: Chapter Twenty
After dinner, the three of them sat in the common room, ticking down the hours, playing backgammon. Most of the house left them alone - save for Fred and George, who bothered Harry and Neville for a few rounds of Exploding Snap. Hermione ignored them all in favor of skimming through her notes. The twins left, yawning, near eleven, along with Lee Jordan. Harry had stashed his invisibility cloak, along with Hagrid’s flute, in the corner near his chair.
“It’s time,” Harry said, reaching for the cloak. “Let’s put the cloak on here and make sure it covers all of us.” They shuffled under the cloak. It fit all three of them with ease.
They crept out the portrait hole and out into the dark corridors. They skirted a mischievous Peeves by the Charms classroom, and narrowly escaped a curious Mrs. Norris near one set of stairs. They were almost to the third floor when the hair on the back of Harry’s neck stood on end.
He stopped, causing the others to crash into him. Harry pulled his wand, his heart racing as two blurry shapes detached from the wall and stepped in front of them.
“Harry?” Draco’s voice was a whisper.
“Draco?”
One blurry form snapped into focus. Draco Malfoy stood in front of them, eyes a touch red, but his expression determined.
Harry slid out from under the cloak. The second blurry form vanished to reveal Nott. Hermione and Neville both peeked at them from under the cloak’s edge.
“How’d you do that?” Hermione demanded.
“Magic,” Nott drawled.
“Show me.”
“Later,” Harry shook his head, keeping his eyes on Draco. “You’re here,” he said.
“Of course we’re here,” Draco tossed his head. “Did you think we’d allow you to go alone and get all the glory for yourselves?”
“Hey, now,” Hermione began.
“Besides,” Draco frowned at them. “You’re Gryffindors. Like as not, you’d just barge in and hope for the best. If you’re going to survive and all that, you’ll need our help. You’re unable to finesse your way out of a box.”
Harry couldn’t help his small laugh. “All right,” he said before Hermione could snap. “All right. We don’t have much time, so come on,” he ducked back under the cloak while the Slytherins recast their spells - Harry had forgotten about the Disillusionment Charm. How could he be so dense?
There was no time to fret about it. A few second later, they were there, outside the third-floor corridor - and the door was already open.
“Someone’s been here,” Harry heard Nott’s whisper.
“Yeah,” Harry slipped from the cloak and pulled out Hagrid’s flute. “If you want to go back,” he told the others. “I won’t blame you. This is going to be dangerous.”
“Don’t be stupid,” said Nott.
“We’re coming with you,” said Neville.
Harry nudged the door further open. As it creaked, low, rumbling growls met their ears. All three of the dog’s noses sniffed madly in their direction. Harry ducked out of sight around the crack.
“There’s a harp at its feet. Someone has definitely been here,” he told them. “Fluffy wakes the moment the music stops, so,” he raised the flute.
“Don’t be daft, Harry,” Draco snapped. The Slytherin raised his wand and said a spell Harry didn’t recognize. A woman’s soft voice began to sing. Harry glanced in the room to see the beast’s eyes begin to droop. The dog’s growls eased as they slid in the door - it tottered on its paws and fell to its knees, then it slumped to the ground, fast asleep.
“Keep it going,” Harry warned Draco as Hermione and Neville slipped out of the cloak. They scuttled to the trap door. They could feel the dog’s hot, smelly breath as they approached the giant head. Harry got the trapdoor open and peered inside.
“I’ll go first,” he told them. “Keep it playing,” he told Draco again. The blond rolled his eyes, but nodded.
Harry dropped into the hole. Cold, damp air rushed past him as he fell. He landed with a funny, sort of muffled thump on something soft. Devil’s Snare, he remembered after a few, frantic blank moments. Come on, Harry. Get a grip.
“It’s okay!” He called up. “One at a time, wait for an all clear. There’s not much space.”
Harry struggled with the blasted plant as Neville, Hermione, Nott and then Draco dropped down with him.
“It’s Devil’s Snare!” Neville yanked at his feet.
“We must be miles under the school,” Hermione peered around.
“Get it off!” Draco’s struggles had ensnared him under the vines.
“We need a fire, or bright light!” Neville snapped. “Hurry!”
“Hold still,” Harry pulled out his wand.
Hermione was faster. She snapped out a spell Harry didn’t catch, but recognized as the bluebell flames burst to life. The plant released the boys, cringing away from the light and warmth.
“Thank goodness you’re good at Herbology,” Draco said to Neville, then looked away.
“Er, thanks,” Neville rubbed at the back of his neck.
“This way,” Harry said, pointing down a stone passageway. All they could hear apart from their own footsteps was the gentle drop of water trickling down the walls. The passageway sloped downward, deeper into the earth.
“Can you hear something?” Neville whispered.
Harry nodded. A soft rustling and clinking seemed to be coming from up ahead.
“Do you think it’s a ghost?” Neville asked.
“It’s wings,” Harry said. He caught Nott giving him another odd look, but dismissed it. They reached the end of the passageway and saw before them a brilliantly lit chamber, its ceiling arching high above them. It was full of small, jewel-bright birds, fluttering and tumbling all around the room. On the opposite side of the chamber was a heavy wooden door.
“Do you think they’ll attack us if we cross the room?” Neville glanced up at the creatures.
“Yes,” Nott said, eyes narrowed on the creatures. “They don’t look very vicious, but if they all swooped down at once, it could be dangerous.” Then he cut a glance at Harry. “You were right, wings.”
Harry shrugged it off. “They’re not really birds,” he said. “They’re keys. We need the right one to open the door.” He turned to see them staring at him. “What?”
“You know this, how?” Nott demanded.
Harry blinked a few times and shrugged. “I, uh, just…do?”
Nott scowled at him.
“So what do we do?” Hermione asked.
“Broomsticks,” Draco breathed. He pointed.
“We have to catch the right one,” Harry nodded.
“But there must be hundreds up there!”
Nott stalked over to the door, taking them all by surprise. The boy had his shoulders hunched, as if waiting for the flying keys to start dive-bombing him at any second. When nothing happened, the Slytherin ran the rest of the way to the door and knelt down to examine the lock.
“Look for a big, old-fashioned one - probably silver, like the handle,” Nott called.
“Right,” Harry gave Hermione a nudge. “You and Neville go over with Nott. Draco, I’ll need your help.”
“Me?” Draco’s eyes went wide.
“Yeah,” Harry smiled. “Come on.” Draco scrambled after him. They each grabbed a broom and sped into the air.
“We’re looking for one with bright blue wings,” Harry told him. “The feathers will be all crumpled on one side. It’s big, too.”
“A lot of them are big. And how do you know it’s blue?”
Harry ignored the last question. “I need you to help me to break it off from the flock. See, there,” Harry reached out and tugged at Draco’s arm. “There, that one.”
“I see it.”
“I need you to swoop down and scatter them, but keep below the target key. It should shoot up. I’ll come from above.”
“But…”
“Please, Draco.”
The blond shut his mouth and nodded. “Say when.”
“On three. One, two…three.”
Draco dived. The keys were spooked, just as Harry had anticipated. Harry streaked after it, ignoring the sharp pain as one key scored his cheek. He pinned the blue-winged key against the wall, feeling the feathery brush of wings against his palm before it went quiet. Harry and Draco dropped to the ground. Harry ran for the door, jammed the key in the lock and twisted it open. The key took flight again, looking very battered now that it had been caught twice.
“Ready?” Harry asked the others, his hand on the door handle. They nodded. He pulled to the door open.
The next chamber was so dark they couldn’t see anything at all. As they stepped into it, light flooded the room to reveal an astonishing sight.
They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved form looked like black stone. Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.
“Now what do we do?” Neville whispered.
“We play our way across,” said Harry.
“But…”
“He’s right,” said Nott. “Look, there are five spots missing on the board. It’s a good thing we came along,” he muttered. “I bet you’re rubbish at chess.”
“Harry’s decent at chess,” Hermione snapped.
“But I’m better,” Draco tossed his head. “All right, this is what we need to do. Harry -”
“You’re just going to take over, just like that?” Hermione demanded.
“It’s all right, Hermione,” Harry patted her shoulder. “If Draco says he’s that good, we have to believe him. I only win half the time. We need better odds than that.”
“Thank you,” Draco bit out with a glare for Hermione. “Now, as I was saying…”
They took their places on the board. Draco took the knight’s position, sitting up on the rock-hewn horse for a better view of the game. It was unlike Ron’s game, Harry mused as they began. It was very slow and probing, Harry could see the concentration on Draco’s face as they picked their way across the board to the white king. Ron was always so sure of himself in chess. Of course, he rarely lost, so he had a right to be confident. Harry shook his head to clear away the memories. He needed to focus on the here and now.
“Oh, damn,” Harry heard Draco mutter. “Oh, buggering damn.”
“Draco!” Hermione gasped.
“Neville,” Draco twisted around to look at the other boy. “Neville, I - there’s no other way.” The Slytherin was chalky pale. The board was almost empty of pieces, the remains of both black and white chessmen huddled along the far wall.
“I…see it,” Neville gave a slow nod. He was on the other black knight’s horse.
“I - there might be…”
“No,” Neville took a deep breath. “Do it. We need to hurry and there’s no other way, right?”
Harry glanced at Draco, who had screwed his eyes shut. “Yes,” the other boy choked out.
“Then do it,” Neville said.
“But…” Hermione whispered.
“Move, Neville,” Draco opened his eyes.
Harry twisted around to watch Neville. The Gryffindor looked almost serene as he moved forward. The white queen pounced. She struck at Neville’s head, but the stone horse bucked up, taking the blow. Neville was thrown to the floor - Hermione screamed, but stayed on her square - as the white queen dragged Neville to one side.
“Right,” Draco’s voice was shaky. “Theo, move three spaces to the left.”
“But Neville!” Hermione cried.
“Do it, Theo!”
The Slytherin moved to checkmate. The white king took off his crown and threw it at Draco’s feet. The chessmen parted and bowed, leaving the door ahead clear.
Draco ran for Neville.
“We need to hurry,” Nott caught Harry’s arm before he could join them. Hermione moved between them.
“Harry, go,” Draco said, eyes bright. “I’ll take care of him. I promise.”
Harry closed his eyes for a second and drew in a sharp breath. Then he opened his eyes and ran for the door, Nott and Hermione hot on his heels.
“Sprout’s, Flitwick’s and McGonagall’s tests are down,” Harry told the others. “Quirrell’s is next, but the troll is already taken care of.”
“What - wait - how did -”
Harry ignored Hermione’s sputters as he pushed the far door open. A disgusting odor filled their nostrils. Harry put his sleeve over his mouth and skirted the prone form of the troll in the middle of the room, out cold from a bloody lump on the top of its head.
Harry pulled open the next door, Nott bolting in ahead of him, slamming the heavy wooden slab behind Hermione to keep the stench out.
“How do you know these things?” Nott demanded.
“It’s a thing,” Harry shrugged it off. “Oh, bloody hell. This one,” he stared at the table that held seven different bottles.
“What - this one? Harry…”
“Not now,” Harry shook his head. “Come on. I’m pants at logic puzzles. It’s good you two are here.”
Nott snapped his mouth shut and exchanged a long look with Hermione that Harry caught out of the corner of his eye. Harry turned away and strode forward. He couldn’t remember which vial he had drunk, all those years ago. It was one of the things he could never recall, even as an adult, before he’d gone back in time. The memory had never been clear to him - he’d been too focused on Ron’s injury and then what had happened next for it to really register.
They stepped over the threshold. A fire sprang up behind them in the doorway, a deep violet color. At the same instant, black flames shot up in the doorway leading outward. They were trapped.
“Look!” Nott seized a roll of paper, laying it next to the bottles. Hermione crowded in next to him as they poured over the riddle Harry knew lay on the sheet.
“Logic puzzles,” Hermione breathed.
“Exactly,” Nott nodded. “Let’s see…” The two bent together, whispering as they moved over the lines of the riddle, pointing to one bottle or another from time to time. It was so strange to see them like that, huddled over a problem, working together. Good, but strange.
“Got it!” Hermione exclaimed. “The smallest bottle will get you through the black flames. That one,” she pointed, “Gets us through the purple flames.”
“Go back and get the others,” Harry took up the tiny bottle. “There’s only enough for one, anyhow. Get Neville to Madam Pomfrey.”
“You’re going alone?”
Harry let out a huff. “I’ll always be alone for this part,” he shook his head.
“But that’s - that’s - You-Know-Who!”
“Yeah,” Harry held up the bottle. “I know.”
“He’ll kill you!” Nott cried.
“Not yet,” Harry met Nott’s eyes. “Hurry back, please. Get Neville to the Infirmary.”
“I’m going to get you help,” Nott growled, eyes bright.
“You’d better live,” Hermione added.
“Go on,” Harry pushed the big bottle at Hermione. The Gryffindor stared at Harry for a long moment and then drank, handing the vial to Nott before turning to dash through the flames. Nott gave Harry one last irritated glare before tossing back what was left, a strange blush on his cheeks, as he turned to follow Hermione through the flames.
Harry cradled the small vial in his hand for a moment, staring at the spot where his friends had disappeared. “We meet yet again,” he murmured and uncorked the vial, draining it with one gulp.
He turned. “Here I come,” he said, and stepped through the black flames.
Chapter Twenty-One